LANTANA, FLORIDA -- One day I looked online at the acehardware.com site for a pipe repair/wrap and located none. Within the hour I went to my local Ace Hardware store and bought some Ace weld/putty. When I opened it to use it was so hard on the ends it was obvious the product was very old, and had been on the shelf an extremely long time.. I took it back right then and asked if they had anything newer in the back. I had the product and the wrapper from when I had just bought it minutes before..someone named Barry came up and started telling me I was "yelling" which is not true. I told him I am half-deaf so my voice may carry but I used no vulgarities, etc, just address the issue of the putty and check in the back if they hav any fresher product. He said no they didn't hav any. I said you might want to pull the stuff off the shelves then because it is old. He got mad at me and started making agitating comments every time I said something he would cut me off mid-sentence on purpose. I told him that was unprofessional and I left. Barry then came to the exit door and SCREAMED AT ME ACROSS THE PARKING LOT ABOUT HOW I SHOULDN'T COME BACK. HE DID THIS IN FRONT OF THE OTHER EMPLOYEES AND CUSTOMERS ALIKE. I went back to the door and asked him what he said. He then added "Denise said you're not supposed to be here, but we let you come back anyway". I said this is the first I hav heard of this, ever. Barry proceeded to say other things loudly and still in front of the employees and customers and as I went to get my $65 pair of glasses, he walked towards me aggressively advancing on me. He then locked the door on me, telling me to leave. I only went back to hear what he had screamed at me across the parking lot, and I was aghast. THIS IS THE FIRST I HAV EVER HEARD OF ANYTHING LIKE THIS. I HAV BEEN GOING TO JERRY AND DENISES STORE FOR OVER A DECADE. WE HAV SPENT THOUSANDS THERE, ESPECIALLY WHEN WE FIRST CAME TO THIS AREA, ON OUR HOUSE REPAIRS. I HAV NEVER BEEN TOLD, ADVISED OR EVEN ALLUDED TO THAT I EVER WAS ANYTHING BUT WELCOMED AT THIS STORE? NO ONE HAS EVER TREATED ME IN SUCH A MANNER THERE. The only problem is that I would get the rewards cards and would be disappointed because every time was told they were "expired" so couldn't use them. I hav taken a few things back over the years but overall hav patronized this store along with my husband who goes there too. WHY DID BARRY SAY THIS and especially IN THIS REPREHENSIBLE MANNER TO ME?

All of this over a $5 tube of plumbers weld/putty.

I want my glasses back or reimbursement for them. This is unreal.

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Poor Service, Poor Management Follow-up

Posted by murban on 05/17/2009

HUMBLE, TEXAS -- Update 5/27/09: I'm grateful that when the manager was ultimately informed of the situation (apparently he was not informed as the worker indicated he would be), he took time to understand the situation, and quickly rectified it. Got a new carb and the blower starts fine now. He addition, he went above and beyond by tuning up my Stihl saw for free. My faith has been restored! Thanks.

What a disappointment, have lost my faith in both the service and the management of this Stihl dealership. My recommendation is not to use this Ace Hardware store for Stihl product repairs/service.

The lack of skill and customer care by the tech and lack of follow-up by management indicates this dealership should not carry the Stihl logo.

Details:

1/31/09 brought my 7 year old BG 85 to Ace Hardware in Humble TX because it was hard to start (usually starts on 2 pulls). Tech explained it could be the carb and rather than a cleaner kit, best thing to do is replace the carb for $50 plus labor. But he'd check it out and let me know. No call, other than to say that the blower was ready to be picked up. I picked up the blower after new air + fuel filter, new plug, carb adjustment made, no replacement carb needed. Great for $42 + tx. Used it once - was hard to start, could never get it started after that. 4/10/09 Returned blower to Ace. $32 + tx later after plug and fuel filter replaced. Tried 3 times could never get the blower started. 5/5/09 returned blower to Ace. Tech could not get it started until he made some adjustments (so how was I supposed to get it started?) He'll have it checked and fixed in 2 days, told him Saturday 5/9 would be fine since I wouldn't need it before then. Went to pick up blower on Sat, tech had not even started working on the blower at all (no call to let me know this in advance), lots of apologies for the bad service, he’d make it up to me. Expected a call Monday or Tuesday to indicate blower was fixed (seems like a responsible way to make up for poor service). No call by Friday 5/15, so I called manager. None was avail to speak to me. However the person I talked (seemed like the person in charge) assured me that both the tech and a manager would call me Saturday 5/16. Also he indicated that the blower was on the "bench" (Meaning that the tech had not even looked at the blower after all the apologies). No call from either during the week. At 4 PM Sat (too late to use the blower) tech called to indicate the carburetor needed to be replaced. Part may be in by Tuesday 5/12, he'll call when it's ready. Still no call from the manager.

Basically I'm out $74 + tx, lots of wasted time, and a blower that's been out of service for 4 months. Root cause of the technical problem was carb needed to be replaced. That's what should have been fixed the first time. Root cause of the service problem: a tech that has difficulty diagnosing technical problems, but worse, who doesn't contact customers, who is insincere, and who apparently does not care to follow up or make amends when problems occur.

Frankly - this dealership does a dis-service to Stihl's reputation.

Issue has not been resolved because management has not had the courtesy to follow-up up on their commitments.

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Horrible, the Worst Place.

Posted by Ryan on 08/11/2014

Rating: 1/51

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK -- I beg you not to shop here for the sake of saving a huge headache. This place wants to call there self Ace hardware but when it comes to returns forget about it. Must take items back to exact location what a joke. Unfortunately I was traveling at the time of my purchase. The customer service what a joke. I guess what I'm really saying is I prey all ace hardware get bull dozed and Lowes builds on there lot. A place with no customer service is a short lived thing. Please do not shop at ace hardware thank you.

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Worst Behavior by Store Manager

Posted by H on 12/31/2013

Rating: 1/51

HERNANDO -- I went to the Ace Hardware on Florida Ave., Inverness Florida to return an item and look for a screw fitting. I was verbally abused by the store manager because I was unable to give him the answers he wanted. He became very angry and eventually threatened with body language and order me out of his store. To me it was bodily threatening behavior. Ace Corporate Office apologized for his behavior gave me a $25 gift card and said they could take no action against the store. Since that event I have heard many other golfing buddies complain about this store.

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Rude and Useless Employees

Posted by Amy on 09/28/2013

Rating: 1/51

GREEN COVE SPRINGS, FLORIDA -- Rown & Cartwright ACE Hardware in Green Cove Springs, FL is an ABSOLUTE DISGRACE to the company name, and the community! I have been a customer of ACE Hardware throughout the country. Everywhere else, it has been a pleasure...until I moved to Green Cove Springs! In the over 6 years I have shopped at this store, I can say without hesitation, that I have NEVER encountered an employee there that was friendly, or any help at all! Every last one of them is RUDE and USELESS! I gave up on getting help finding what I need there years ago, and just find it myself...but not without being followed like a hawk around the store my entire visit! This went on for years, and I put up with it until my most recent visit.

An employee actually confronted us outside the store stating "We know what you're up to" and "Someone in the store overheard you saying you were being watched and that you'll pay for it if you have to". This was just an ABSOLUTE LIE! She then went on to say "We can sell to whoever we want, and you're not welcome here". Can you believe she told us we need to make a "list" of what we need, get it, and get out? Unbelievable!

I immediately filed a complaint with the corporate office, and invite anyone else (I am sure there are many) with an experience like this to do the same!

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Terrible Return Policy

Posted by Jonothan on 10/27/2010

BATAVIA, ILLINOIS -- I recently purchased some items in Denver when I was visiting my daughter. She didn't have enough money to cover the purchase, so I paid for it. Returning to Chicago, I brought along the items that she didn't need or could use. I returned the items to a store in Batavia, IL and discovered that even though the merchandise was exactly the same, with the same Stock #/SKN, I got a lower return price (and not due to different tax) because the Store in Batavia sold it at a different price.
I was told by the cashier that my choices were: keep the items or go back to Denver to get my money back. She was very rude/condescending to me. No where could I see notices/signs (or even on the receipt) that each store was independent and be fore-warned that I may not get my complete money back if I had to return something. This is not the policy at other home improvement stores, such as Home Depot or Lowes.
I called their Customer Service phone#, and recounted my story. Then I was put on hold. Eventually, the line was disconnected, waiting for someone to come back on the line.
So, goodbye Ace Hardware, you have lost all my future business, as well as my family and friends, whom I plan on sharing my experience with asap. I will go out of my way to avoid shopping at any Ace Hardware store in any city.

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3 Gal Sprayer

Posted by Deborath on 07/10/2012

Rating: 2/51

This is the second sprayer I buy in 4 yrs and the metal wand that extends has always had pin holes in it. The problem is Ace does not make a wand to buy, u have to buy a whole new set up which costs $45 and it is not fair that you can't make an applicable wand to purchase.

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Consumer Fraud

Posted by jkresta on 08/05/2010

CORONA, CA -- 3.5 weeks ago I purchased a Toro Trimmer from the ACE hardware store in Corona -- I have been doing business with this store for over 20 years.
The trimmer began to break and fall apart after 3 weeks of light use. Today I took it back -- the Receipt said -- "Original receipt is required for refund or exchange within 30 days" I took it back with the original receipt and was told I could not get my money back because I did not bring it back in the original box -- Now how many people keep the box after they open the product and use it. They refused to give me my money back -- I talked to a store clerk by the name of PHIL -- he was very abusive and unprofessional. He told me to come back and see the owner which I will tomorrow -- if they refuse to give me my money back -- I will be forced to file a civil suit against the store.
Beware -- this ACE store practices consumer FRAUD -- please avoid the ACE store in Corona on ^th Street and Lincoln.

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Worst Customer service in a hardware store I've ever seen.

Posted by AnnCastleberry on 08/28/2009

VANCOUVER, WASHINGTON -- I bought a pipe fitting from Ace Hardware in Salmon Creek, WA to hook up my outside line (for the hose). When my husband saw the fitting he noticed that the turn knob kept turning and wouldn't tighten. However, not being plumbers, we thought it must be OK, it's brand new.
Anyway, it did turn out to be a problem, because after we put it on the water WOULDN'T turn off and was gushing everywhere. Thinking that there was something else wrong with our plumbing, we had to call a plumber and $140 later, it turns out that the pipe was defective. Thinking I was totally justified returning something that was defective, imagine my surprise when the owner would only keep repeating to me that the pipe had been "tampered" with and he couldn't take it back. Not only that, but he was rude as well. I only wanted by money back, which was $30 for having something on their shelf that could cause such an expensive problem...they should pay for the plumber too! I'll never go back, the owner of this particular Ace Hardware is a cheat.

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Poor Quality Of Service And Does Not Recognize Their Own Product

Posted by HollyandShelby on 03/26/2009

ALOHA, OREGON -- My husband purchased 2 items from Ace Hardware in Aloha Oregon over the past several weeks. I took the items back to ACE for a return as we never used them. The items have the ACE name printed right on the packaging. When I entered the store and handed the items to the checker and told her I wanted to return them, she told me that she could not refund my money because she didn't find the items in her computer, EVEN THOUGH THE ACE NAME WAS PRINTED ON THE PACKAGING. She called a store manager who told me that since the item could not be found in their computer they could not refund my money. He also said that I could not prove I bought the items from his store.

In other words, I was a liar. BEWARE CONSUMERS! REGARDLESS OF WHAT ACE SAYS REGARDING CUSTOMER SERVICE, THEY DON'T HONOR WHAT THEY PROFESS.